End connection for bracelets and the like



May 19, 1953 H. RUF

END CONNECTION FOQRYBRACELETS AND THE LIKE 'Fild May a, 60

Fig.4

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Patented May 19, 1953 END CONNECTION FOR BRACELETS AND THE LIKE Hermann Ruf, Wanaque, N. J., assignor to Forstner Chain Corporation, a corporation of New Jersey Application May 25, 1950, Serial No. 164,105

The present invention relates to the jewelry art, and has particular reference to a novel end connector for bracelets and the like.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a simple and effective end connector for a bracelet, necklace, or similar jewelry article.

Another object of the invention is to provide an end connector which is particularly suitable for ornamental flexible bands of the snake chain type.

With the above and other objects and advantageous features in view, the invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts more fully disclosed in the detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and more specifically'defined in the claims appended thereto.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an end connection embodying the invention, and attached to a snake chain;

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section thereof, the parts being in closed relation;

V Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2, the. parts being in open relation;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the connection parts.

It has been found desirable to provide an end connection of simple form for bracelets and other jewelry, and particularly for bracelets and the like made of snake chain. To this end, I have provided a easing into which the end of the chain may be inserted, the casing having a hinged cover part and a spring lock element which grips the end of the chain and is locked in gripping position when the cover is closed. This construction facilitates shortening the length of a bracelet or the like by the retail jeweler, and eliminates returning the bracelet to the manufacturer for the desired length ad- 4 Claims. (C1. 24-265) ing l6 and extending arcuately forwardly to provide two depending side lugs i9, 20 which have their forward edges 2|, 22 curved as illustrated. The forward edge 23 of the base I4 forms a snap cam edge, as hereinafter described.

A cover 24 is provided, having sides 25, 26 of a length to extend into the cut away portions of the casing sides l1, I8, the cover being extended rearwardly and curved to form an end hinge roll 21, and the casing having a forward extension reduced in width and terminating in two parallel hinge ears 28, 29 adapted to seat on the sides of the hinge roll 21. The link [2 is also provided with two end hinge ears 30,

3| adapted to seat on the sides of the hinge ears 28, 29, whereby a hinge pin 32 looks the parts together as shown in Fig. 6.

The sides 25, 26 of the cover 24 are rounded at their ends to snap past the cam edge 23 of the base l4 and seat into the forward edges 2!, 22 of the casing side lugs, and a friction lock element 33 is mounted in the cover 24, as by soldering or the like, the lock element 33 havingtria'ngular wings 34, 35 which are adapted to frictionally engage the inner surfaces of the casing sides ll, 18 when the cover is closed, the cover having a forward finger tab 36 for lifting whenever desired. A U-shaped spring 31, see Fig. 6, is provided with spaced prongs 38 at its upper and lower ends, the prongs being of a size and shape to readily enter between the spaces 39 of the snake chain; the ends of the triangular wings 34, 35 are rounded to press the spring rearwardly as the cover is closed,

as illustrated in Fig. 2.

The manner of assembly of the parts is now evident. The end of the chain I! is inserted in the rear opening l5 of the casing, in which the spring 31 has been inserted through the opening I4, and is placed between the upper and lower sides of the spring; the cover is now closed to press the sides of the spring together and to force the spring to the rear, whereupon the prongs 38 seat in the contiguous spaces 39 of the chain end, and the assembly is completed when the rounded sides 25, 26 of the cover seat in the casing lugs l8, l9 and the wings 34, 35 of the friction lock element engage the inner surfaces of the casing sides 25, 26.

If it is desired to shorten the chain, the cover is opened, the chain end is withdrawn from the end connection, and shortened, and the new end is then inserted and locked in place.

Although I have described a specific constructional embodiment of the invention, it is obvious that changes in the size, shape and arrangement of the parts may be made to suit difierent end connection requirements, without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An end connector for a bracelet or the like, comprising a hollow casing having a top, sides, and a base, and open at one end to provide an inlet for a bracelet end, the base having an opening adjacent the other end, a cover hinged to the top and movable to close said base opening, and a U-shaped spring positioned in said casing with spaced sides extending towards the bracelet end inlet and of a size to be received in. the base opening, said sides having prongs adapted to engage a bracelet end, said spring being slidable within the case to wedge between the base and the cover upon movement towards the bracelet end inlet and said cover having means pressing said spring towards said bracelet end inlet when said cover is moved to close the base opening.

2. An end connector for a bracelet or the like, comprising a hollow casing having a top, sides, and a base, and open at one end to provide an inlet for a bracelet end, the base having an opening adjacent the other end, a cover hinged to the top and movable to close said base opening, and a U-shaped spring positioned in said casing with spaced sides extending towards the bracelet end inlet and of a size to be received in the base opening, said sides having prongs adapted to engage a bracelet end, said spring being slidable within the case to wedge between the base and the cover upon movement towards the bracelet end inlet, said cover being inclined towards the base at the bracelet end inlet and said cover having means pressing said spring towards said bracelet end inlet and compressing said spring when said cover is moved to close the base opening.

3. An end connector for a bracelet or the like, comprising a hollow casing having a top, sides, and a base, and open at one end to provide an inlet for a bracelet end, the base having an opening adjacent the other end, a cover hinged to the top and movable to close said base opening, and a U-shaped spring positioned in said casing with spaced sides extending towards the bracelet and inlet and of a size to be received in the base opening, said sides having prongs adapted to engage a bracelet end, said spring being slidable within the case to wedge between the base and the cover upon movement towards the bracelet end inlet and said cover having a projection pressing said spring towards said bracelet end inlet when said cover is moved to close the base opening.

4. An end connector for a bracelet or the like, comprising a hollow casing having a top, sides, and a base, and open at one end to provide an inlet for a bracelet end, the base having an opening adjacent the other end, a cover hinged to the top and movable to close said base opening, and a U-shaped spring positioned in said casing with spaced sides extending towards the bracelet end inlet and of a size to be received in the base opening, said sides having prongs adapted to engage a bracelet end, said spring being slidable within the case to wedge between the base and the cover upon movement towards the bracelet end inlet said cover being inclined towards the base at the bracelet end inlet and said cover having a projection pressing said spring towards said bracelet end inlet and compressing said spring when said cover is moved to close the base opening.

HERMANN RUF.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,130,438 Schmidt Mar. 2, 1915 1,474,030 Hatheway Nov. 13, 1924 1,701,060 Armbrust Feb. 5, 1929 1,859,365 Johnson May 24, 1932 2,009,244 Woodward July 23, 1935 2,131,454 Prestinari Sept. 2'7, 1938 2,454,439 Fontaine Nov. 23, 1948 

